I built this bench last spring for our backyard, and I’m amazed at how much we use it! The design and construction are simple, and the result is lightweight yet sturdy. I had fun making it, and I think you will too.
Building the bench takes about half a day, and finishing it adds a few hours. You don’t need expert skills or fancy tools, just a table saw, circular saw, drill, jigsaw and router. The heads of the screws that fasten the seat slats to the base are covered with wood plugs made using a
drill-mounted plug cutter that’s available by mail order (see SOURCES ONLINE).
I made the bench out of dimensional cedar from a local home center. Other options include fir, redwood, white oak or pine (if you paint it). After construction, I applied clear exterior oil-base finish, but you could leave the wood unfinished and let it age naturally if you prefer.
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